Police athletes in the medals

Police staff flew the flag for New Zealand at the 15th Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games in Melbourne last month.

Assistant Commissioner Grant Nicholls - who won one gold and two silver medals in his events - competes in the half-marathon.

The Kiwi contingent - with Corrections, Community Corrections, Aviation Security and Fire Service staff as well as Police - was the second largest, with 297 athletes. Victoria had more than 2,000 of the 3,200 competitors in the 50 sports. “Those competing did so in good spirits,” says retired Inspector John Johnston, NZ team manager. “Encouragement for competitors was readily forthcoming from spectators and fellow athletes alike.” Notable results included the cycling, where a small team won one gold, two silver and two bronze medals in the criterium and Constable Dan Waluszewski (Upper Hutt) won gold in three disciplines. The badminton team won seven gold and two silver medals and Constable Dayna Reiri, of Palmerston North, won half-marathon gold.

Senior Constable Kerry Fenton (Upper Hutt) was in contention for gold in golf but had to settle for silver after cutting short his round to catch a plane home.

Inspector Mike O’Leary (Hastings) and brother Dennis (Fire Service), both won gold in sevens - and broke bones, Mike an arm and Dennis a leg. Remarkably, not realising the extent of his injury, Dennis went on to win silver in shot put.

New South Wales won the Australian and New Zealand Games Federation trophy, and Victoria Ambulance Service won the Emergency Services Shield. New Zealand’s medals total was not known at time of publication.

The day after the Games closed, New Zealand Police staff joined their Victorian counterparts in the Anzac Day parade.

The next Games will be held in October 2016 on the Sunshine Coast.